CARIBBEAN SURF RETREAT

STAY IN COMFORT & STYLE

A BOUTIQUE STAY

THE 1ST PURPOSE-BUILT SURF RETREAT

Our guests tell us we've thought of everything and they would be right because the design and purpose are both born out of our own travel experiences.

Swell combines the fun of a sociable, friendly surf resort but with 'grown-up' luxury.

There's no need to be 'alone' on your vacation and it really doesn't matter what age you are. Whether you arrive alone, as a couple, or come with friends; we know from hosting more than 8000 great guests, it's a unique place to stay in comfort and style.

Explore Swell below.

Swell Surf Camp
Our Guests

Our Guests

Our guests are usually professional people, generally aged between 30 and 65, the average age being 40. However, it's not about age, it's about mind-set. We know absolutely that age is irrelevant because everyone at Swell is sharing a passion; to surf, to improve their surfing or to learn to surf from scratch.

Active People

An Oasis

Even though we are so close to town (a very short, level walk from shops, restaurants and a huge beach) Swell's beautiful tropical gardens will relax you. There are plenty of palm trees and hammocks so you can enjoy peace and tranquillity on your holiday. Just lie back and relax and enjoy watching the hummingbirds flit between our tropical flowers.

A Boutique

Comfort

After an active day in or on the water, it's nice to know that you have a Californian king-sized bed in a comfortable room with crispy clean sheets and AC waiting for you at Swell to help you enjoy a good night sleep.


Swell Surf Camp Easy Travel

A SOCIAL STAY

MEET NEW PEOPLE

There is no easier place to meet new people then a Swell holiday. Our large communal living room fills up half of our place and is the central hub of Swell, This is where we eat, drink, chat or play a game together. Over half our guests travel to Swell by themselves; it's ideal for solo travelers & couples who want to meet new people.

Swell is a social place, however we are not a 'party / drink' till 2 in the morning kind of place. Everyone wants to get up early to catch the best surfing conditions in the mornings.

Good vibes

Swell is like a warm embrace; you’ll immediately feel at home. It has a uniquely relaxed vibe and by the very nature of their choice to come to Swell, our guests are naturally compatible: This is key to the welcoming and friendly spirit of the camp.

Breakfasts and dinners are shared together around our huge dining table. Guests can chill out on our sofas or oversized bean bags, shoot some pool, play some cards/games or watch some movies. You’ll feel like you are part of a really fun, extended family.

If you want some 'me time,' go and relax in one of our hammocks slung beneath the palm trees in our tropical garden.

Swell Surf Camp Easy Travel

SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

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  • WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

    Swell is located on the North coast of the Dominican Republic, in the center of the charming Caribbean surf town of Cabarete. 

    Getting to us is really easy & fast from New York, Boston, Miami, Toronto & Montreal.

    One direct 4-hour flight with Jet Blue or United and you can swap the concrete, traffic and noise of New York with the sandy beaches of the Caribbean. From Toronto, and Montreal, it's about a 3,5 to 4-hour direct flight and we are only a 25-minute transfer from Puerto Plata (code POP) International Airport.  From Miami, it's only a 1.5 hour flight to POP!

    Not coming from New York, Boston, Miami, Toronto, or Montreal? A short 1-stop connection to those cities and you'll soon be at Swell Surf Camp.

    Basically, from most destinations in the USA, from your door to our surf beaches is a lot quicker than going on a surf trip to Costa Rica or Nicaragua, since either of those require internal flights or 3 to 6 hour taxi transfers.

    Coming from Europe?
    From Germany and Switzerland there are direct flights to Puerto Plata, or connect in New York or Miami to Puerto Plata.

    More info.

    See all airlines and routes that connect New York, New Jersey,  Boston, Toronto and Miami to us on this page > Getting here

  • WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK SHOULD I ARRIVE?

    You can arrive any day of the week at Swell if we have space. Just contact us to see if we have space for you for your chosen dates.

  • I AM NEW TO SURFING, IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?

    Teaching people how to surf is what we specialize in here at Swell. When we started in 2009 we set out to be one of the best surf camps for beginners. We have qualified surf coaching instructors who can teach the sport of surfing in a safe, fun and quick manner.

    The surf spot where we teach is an ideal place for beginner surfers. Before we opened Swell we looked around the globe to find the ideal beginner surf destination, we visited Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and as far as consistency and safety, we found the North coast Of the Dominican Republic simply offered the best location for an adult learn to surf retreat.

    Our local surf spot Encuentro offers perfect beginner and intermediate waves. The waves on the inside are mellow and the water is about chest-deep. There are no dangerous rips, currents or sea creatures here in the Dominican Republic (unlike some other beginner destinations like Costa Rica or Nicaragua).

    Many places worldwide are great for advanced and expert surfers, but not all great surfing spots are ideal for people new to surfing. Where we teach at Playa Encuentro, just a few miles west of Cabarete, truly is an amazing spot for your learning how to surf holiday. For more information on our learn to surf program, have a look at this page.

  • WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF SWELL CLIENTS?

    The average age of people traveling to us for an adult surf holiday varies per week, but generally speaking, the people who come to Swell Surf Camp on our surfing holidays are aged between 35 and 60. That's not to say that in certain weeks there are more people in their 30s than 50s (or the other way around). We are poud to say that we've have had people well into their 70s on a Swell.  Age just doesn't seem to be a factor at Swell because the simple truth is that everyone is there to enjoy watersports.

    Most of our clients are from the USA ( New York, Boston, LA, and Florida ), Canada (Toronto, Montreal,and Vancouver), and Europe, and 80% of them are working professionals who want the comforts of a boutique Surf retreat combined with the social aspect of a surf hotel.

    Swell is a social place; however, we are not a 'party/drink' till 2 in the morning kind of place. 

  • I AM TRAVELLING SOLO, IS THAT OK?

    About 70% of the clients who come to Swell for an adult surf camp holiday, travel solo.

    As a result, it's really easy to meet like-minded travelers from all over the world. We surf together, we have breakfasts and dinners together, so if you are looking for a social surf camp when on a solo surf trip then a stay at Swell will definitely be a great option for you.

    Have a look at reviews on external sites like Tripadvisor and Google, and you will see the social aspect at Swell as the no.1 recurring theme. And it's not just the single and solo travelers who enjoy the company of new friends. For couples or groups, it's also a great way to make new friends from all over the globe.

    The average age of our clients varies from week to week, but generally speaking, we attract more of a 35 to 50+ year old crowd than the 18 to 24-year-old crowd.

     

AS SEEN ON:
Outside Magazine The Boston Globe Condé Nast Traveler Travel + Leisure

  • “Think of Swell as the anti-surf camp. There’s plenty of surfing, of course, but the similarities to other surf camps end there. For starters, the rooms are stylish — more boutique surf retreat than reggae-loving surfer digs. Then there are the legendary breakfasts (omelets, pancakes and crepes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and fruit bowls). Structured surf lessons take place each morning. An instructor alongside you and the head surf coach watching from shallow water, ready to offer learn to surf tips between riding waves. If you are serious about learning to surf, then Swell should be on top of your destination list. Highly recommended!
    Reference Source:
    [Frommer’s Travel Guides]

    Tripadvisor review
    Guest reviews
    Client badge
    TA badge

    Designed with the discerning surfer in mind, Swell is far from a crash pad. The spare clean lines, plush bedding, modern photographs and funky furniture say ‘boutique surf retreat’. The pool, ping-pong and foosball tables and social vibe suggest otherwise. A huge wood communal table is the center of the hanging-out action, after all the surfing is done. Highly recommended!
    Reference Source:
    [Lonely Planet]

     

  • PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE

     

    “Our small retreat size guarantees focused coaching, real community, and the perfect experience!”